Summary: Nico's on tour, the family's there too. Bonus: NozoEli

Dia walked with such confidence for a four year old, while Ruby, though sturdy enough on her feet, tended to cling to one of her mothers while Dia was leading the way. Today, Nico had a concert so they'd stopped by for the afternoon soundcheck before the next generation of idols needed their nap. Dia and Ruby were both wearing their hearing protective gear, Dia showing Nico where the microphone was as Nico talked to the stadium's sound guy. The Idol Branch of the Yazawa Clan had dressed for the public appearance with matching sparkly silver flair to their original Minami Kotori outfits.

Maki reached down to pick up Ruby. She wanted to be able to judge the level of competence of the venue's staff, which could be easily done by hovering while Nico discussed the contractual set up. It was important that the live backing tracks were handled well and there were no glitches with Nico's mic. Nico's management was still a little wary about the live vocals, but Nico had worked years to develop the stamina needed. Maki was proud of her. Nico put in as much time to master each part of her job, her calling. Her dance had always been top tier, her rapping sharp, but with Maki's help, her vocals had caught up. She had earned her sold out concerts, platinum records number one idol status, mastering her craft to seize the stage as a solo artist rather than part of a group.

"Your momma's really pretty today, Ruby. Her eyes have that pre show sparkle." Maki whispered as she held her daughter close. "She'll be amazing on stage tonight."

Ruby made a raspberry. Maki wasn't sure how much Ruby understood, but she'd been getting restless, screaming randomly, and then running to Maki or Nico and crying, demanding to be comforted for hours. They hadn't figured out what was scaring her, Dia was starting to glare at them whenever Ruby cried, and Maki was beginning to wonder if taking Ruby home to Numazu was the best thing. But Ruby loved when Nico held her and the nights when Nico sang them all a lullaby and Dia was loving all the attention she got on tour. Just like Nico. Maki didn't want to lose this family time with all of her family.

Ruby was pounding on Maki's shoulder.

"Hi Ruby. Are you hungry?"

"No."

"What can Mama do?"

"Sing."

"All right." Maki held Ruby close, singing "Cutie Panther" in a near whisper, but Nico still heard, turning to silently question Maki, who shrugged as she cuddled Ruby. Nico smiled and blew her a kiss, then continued her conversation with the sound guy.

"Join in, Eli, and maybe Nico will gift us a Bibi performance for our anniversary." Nozomi's drawl sneaked its way into the soundscape.

"Your anniversary is in June." Nico frowned.

"It's the anniversary of our first…"

"Thanks for getting us passes, Nico!" Eli cut off her wife's overshare with the ease of familiarity.

"Always for you, Eli."

Dia detached herself from the group at the mic, reaching into the pocket of her coat to pull out a small, be-ribboned bag of chocolates. Which she immediately offered to Eli.

Eli crouched down, a broad smile on her face, "Thank you, Dia. Let's share."

"Bzzzt." Dia frowned.

Eli was taken aback but then she noticed Dia glaring at everyone else. "It's okay, Dia. You and me, we're the only ones who'll be sharing. It's our secret."

Dia grinned; Nozomi giggled; Nico rolled her eyes.

Eli and Dia were in chocolate heaven for several minutes

"Did your mom make these?"

"Mom found the recipe, Aunt Eli, but I asked her to. I picked the toppings. And tied the ribbons." Dia shoved a raspberry topped chocolate at Eli.

"Dia was a big help." Taking a break, Nico now had her hand on Dia's shoulder, beaming proudly.

Meanwhile, Nozomi had approached Maki, reaching to take Ruby from her, "You can't perform with a baby in your arms."

Nico could, Maki thought, glancing at her amused wife. Nico could do anything, but Maki wanted to avoid encouraging any Nozomi vs. Nico rivalry that might lead to friction. The Ayases rarely traveled without the twins. This visit to Korea was a rare adults only adventure for the parents of very active nine year olds. Maki wanted them to enjoy it.

"How are Vic and Teddy doing?"

"Alisa and Yukiho are managing." Nozomi chuckled, "I think growing up with Honoka prepared Yukiho for anything. She's got them learning how to make dango. They've been getting up so early they pass out before they remember to booby trap anything."

Maki chuckled, remembering her own adventures in twin sitting.

Nozomi leaned down as if Ruby were talking to her, "Ruby can't wait to see "Cutie Panther."

Ruby waved her hands in the air, burbling.

Eli shook her head, "Really, Non-tan, using sweet Ruby as your enforcer."

Nozomi winked, as shameless as ever. "Maki might say no to me, but not her baby."

Nico pushed her oldest forward, "Nico has to save her voice for later so Dia, you'll have to stand in for me. Just follow what your Mama and Aunt Eli do."

"Nico-chan?"

Nico shrugged, "Can't I be as shamelessly in love with my talented and gorgeous wife as this per…" Nico noticed Dia paying attention to her every word, "ky friend of ours."

Maki blushed.

"Come stand between us, Dia." Eli said, the remaining chocolate sliding into her coat pocket.

Dia, green eyes as serious as Umi targeting an arrow, nodded. Eli and Maki shared a glance, Eli stretching her arms out in front to warm up. "I might not remember all of the choreography."

Maki nodded. "Same. But I remember this." She crouched to be at Dia's eye level, raising her hands up to claw at the air, "Cutie Panther's signature gesture is this, Dia."

Dia repeated the motion, brows tightened as she concentrated.

"That's right, bun. If you can't keep up, just do this." And Maki clawed again, Nico hearing a soft growl.

"Oh my goddess, Nico-chi." Nozomi whispered in her ear, for once not wanting to disturb, appreciating the mother-daughter ultimate cuteness moment. "How do you cope with all that adorable?"

"Keep them all as close as I can." Nico let Ruby claim two of her fingers, "Hi, Ruby, mom's so proud of you."

Ruby bounced, knocking into Nozomi's chin with her excitement.

Nozomi was careful to keep whispering while Eli, Maki and Dia sorted out moves, switching Dia to the front and Maki to Nico's spot. "I never expected Maki to be so soft around children."

"She's pretty amazing. She was always great with my sibs, but to see her everyday with Dia and Ruby…" Nico never cried in public and sometimes it was only because she was pinching her hand hard enough to divert the tears.

Eli stepped up, a boldness in her blue eyes that came out when she performed, "You'd better be ready for this."

And she and Maki seamlessly began with the chorus of one of the silliest, cutest songs the Nishikino-Sonoda team had ever written.

"I'm a cutie panther, following you wherever you go
I'll steal your heart away, just you watch
I'm a cutie panther, following you wherever you go
I won't, I won't let go of your heart"

"Our cutie panthers." Nozomi leaned into her old friend.

"Yep." Nico hummed along, reclaiming her youngest daughter and blowing a kiss to the other redhead in her life. "The cutest."

"Cutie!" Ruby screamed, pointing to the trio.

And suddenly Nico and Ruby were wrapped up in a sweaty hug, "Gotcha!"

Nico felt someone grab her leg. Dia, eyes bright.

"Me too, Mama!"

"I got mine." Eli shouted, her arms around Nozomi, several quick kisses already landed.

"What next, Nico-chan?"

Nico shivered at the breath caressing her ear.

There was a pause, while Eli put a restraining hand over Nozomi's biting mouth and Dia shouted, "Lunch" and looked confused when the adults laughed.

"Lunch it is." Nozomi decided, "Number One Idol's treat."

"C'mon, mom." Dia tugged on Nico's leg. "We're hungry." Nico very deftly handed Ruby to Maki while taking Dia's hand with one of her own.

"Smooth." Eli grinned at Nico.

"Nico juggles it all, children, fans, songs, tours, wives…" Nozomi chanted.

"One wife." Nico corrected.

"Only one wife." Maki growled.

"Love you." Nico kissed Maki and Ruby on their cheeks. "C'mon Dia, help Nico sing a song for Ji-Hoo, while your Mama finds us a restaurant."

And Dia picked up the chorus of Cutie Panther again, Nico joining in.

A/N:

Happy Pride. Stay safe, stay queer, and wherever you are, thanks for being you and taking the time to read this.